Job Info

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ECS is seeking an Economist to work in our La Jolla, CA office. (Due to COVID-19 candidate is allowed to fully telework at this time)

Job Description:
Executive Order 13921, Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth (EO, May 7, 2020) calls on NOAA to identify 10 Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOA) over the next five years. The EO requires NOAA to complete a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for each AOA. In some instances, NOAA will also be responsible for completing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for individual projects requiring permits in federal waters. These documents include the need to assess the economic impact of siting and running aquaculture facilities. To provide scoping information, NOAA will prepare an "Aquaculture Opportunity Atlas" for each AOA prior to the PEIS.

The NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) Policy Directive 01-120, commits NOAA to Ecosystem Based Fishery Management (EBFM). The policy defines EBFM as "a systematic approach to fisheries management in a geographically specific area that contributes to the resilience and sustainability of the ecosystem; recognizes the physical, biological, economic, and social interactions among the affected fishery-related components of the ecosystem, including humans; and seeks to optimize benefits among a diverse set of societal goals." This policy also provides the framework for development of AOA's and aquaculture in general, under existing U.S. laws.

NOAA Fisheries seeks to conduct economic analysis to evaluate economic trade-offs in the context of AOA development and NEPA. This is necessary in order to "optimize benefits among a diverse set of societal goals" as is the policy for Ecosystem Based Management.

The specific vacancy tasks include:

• Working as the economist on a larger team, develop and apply tools to evaluate the full societal benefit and costs of alternatives related to the establishment of two or more Aquaculture Opportunity Areas per year based on input from corresponding Aquaculture Opportunity Atlases.
• Collaborate with NOAA, Office of Aquaculture, NCCOS and Regional Aquaculture Coordinators on interplay between economic tools and siting analysis (e.g., regional prioritization for Aquaculture Opportunity Areas based on economic indicators).
• Apply economic analysis to NEPA processes as needed.
• Advise NOAA's Office of Aquaculture on operationalizing economic evaluation and future science needs to both improve ecosystem-based management of aquaculture and to inform development of tailored outreach and communications materials.
• Advise NOAA's Office of Aquaculture about ongoing data collection needs for AOA management following build out.

Required Skills:

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in Economics
• Must be able to obtain a Public Trust Clearance
• Knowledge and experience in economic analysis in aquaculture, fisheries, natural resources, agriculture or related fields, including valuation of non-market benefits and costs.
• Experience in developing enterprise budgets, business cases or financial analysis for investments.
• Experience with econometric and relevant modeling software.
• Experience applying research findings to inform public communications and outreach.
• Familiarity with NEPA, knowledge and experience in social impact assessment and trade-off analysis in applied aquaculture, fisheries, agriculture or related fields.

ECS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. ECS promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.

ECS is a leading mid-sized provider of technology services to the United States Federal Government. We are focused on people, values and purpose. Every day, our 3000+ employees focus on providing their technical talent to support the Federal Agencies and Departments of the US Government to serve, protect and defend the American People.

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